Letters to the editor - July 7, 2014

Published: Sunday, July 6, 2014 at 11:19 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, July 6, 2014 at 11:19 p.m.

The GOP's tactic is called ‘sabotage'

Remember WMDs, death panels, "he's not a U.S. citizen," "he's a Muslim," "acting king" and Imperial President? Remember Republicans' two wars, the 2008 Great Recession, TARP bailout, tax breaks for the wealthy and tax breaks for outsourcing?

Multiple Republican investigations into Bengahzi, dozens of votes on the Affordable Care Act, shutting down the government, crying about executive orders usage – even though the four previous presidents each issued more than President Obama has?

Obama had the majority of the votes in 2008 and 2012. Congress's disapproval is 93 percent …

"Sabotage" is the word the Democrats should be using to define four years of Republican representation. Unemployment is below 7 percent now, but how many are making a living wage at a full-time job with benefits? Wall Street banks and investment companies are earning record profits and their executives receiving huge salaries, but Main Street and the middle class are disappearing with no help in sight.

Please register to vote – and then vote. North Carolina and the country need change.

Russell Wilber, Wilmington

Lawsuit based on hypocrisy

The vast majority of items that I have seen in Holy Hobby stores are made in China. It is widely reported that China's one-child policy has resulted in forced abortions and female infanticide. Their lawsuit seems to me as hypocritical on the part of Holy Hobby's owners. Therefore, in the future I do not plan to shop in their stores.

Mat Robinson, Winnabow

Illegal residence is just that – illegal

I read with much dismay Jared Bernstein's opinion piece "Washington doesn't get anything done. Does it matter?" (June 29)

Bernstein proffers that lack of uniform immigration accommodation creates costly inefficiencies. His contention is that states and cities cannot "efficiently solve this challenge" … His perceived immigration challenge: the efficient and unrestricted movement of immigrants.

In reality, however, the "immigrants" Bernstein refers to are illegal aliens, and he is suggesting that only the federal government can deal with them. He is right – only the federal government has the authority to deal with immigration matters.

But Bernstein is not suggesting the federal government efficiently deal with illegal aliens according to existing United States law. He is suggesting that inconsistent treatment of illegal aliens by states and cities constitutes apartheid-like discrimination that is abhorrent – as well as expensive and inefficient. Bernstein proposes that illegal aliens be treated as resident aliens, irrespective of U.S. law, and despite denying he supports illegal immigration.

The United States has a national policy on immigration. It is defined and articulated in the nation's immigration laws, and none of these laws permit illegal residence in the United States – much less efficient and unrestricted residence.

<p class="bold allcaps">The GOP's tactic is called 'sabotage'</p>
<p>Remember WMDs, death panels, "he's not a U.S. citizen," "he's a Muslim," "acting king" and Imperial President? Remember Republicans' two wars, the 2008 Great Recession, TARP bailout, tax breaks for the wealthy and tax breaks for outsourcing?</p><p>Since the 2008 elections, the Republicans have done everything possible to sabotage our states and federal government in fixing our economy, unemployment, education, post office, women's rights, universal health care, immigration, border security, military benefits, job creation and our environment.</p><p>Multiple Republican investigations into Bengahzi, dozens of votes on the Affordable Care Act, shutting down the government, crying about executive orders usage – even though the four previous presidents each issued more than President Obama has?</p><p>Obama had the majority of the votes in 2008 and 2012. Congress's disapproval is 93 percent …</p><p>"Sabotage" is the word the Democrats should be using to define four years of Republican representation. Unemployment is below 7 percent now, but how many are making a living wage at a full-time job with benefits? Wall Street banks and investment companies are earning record profits and their executives receiving huge salaries, but Main Street and the middle class are disappearing with no help in sight.</p><p>Please register to vote – and then vote. North Carolina and the country need change.</p><p><i>Russell Wilber, Wilmington</i></p><h3>Lawsuit based on hypocrisy</h3>
<p>The vast majority of items that I have seen in Holy Hobby stores are made in China. It is widely reported that China's one-child policy has resulted in forced abortions and female infanticide. Their lawsuit seems to me as hypocritical on the part of Holy Hobby's owners. Therefore, in the future I do not plan to shop in their stores. </p><p>Mat Robinson, Winnabow</p><p>Illegal residence is just that – illegal</p><p>I read with much dismay Jared Bernstein's opinion piece "Washington doesn't get anything done. Does it matter?" (June 29)</p><p>Bernstein proffers that lack of uniform immigration accommodation creates costly inefficiencies. His contention is that states and cities cannot "efficiently solve this challenge" … His perceived immigration challenge: the efficient and unrestricted movement of immigrants.</p><p>In reality, however, the "immigrants" Bernstein refers to are illegal aliens, and he is suggesting that only the federal government can deal with them. He is right – only the federal government has the authority to deal with immigration matters.</p><p>But Bernstein is not suggesting the federal government efficiently deal with illegal aliens according to existing United States law. He is suggesting that inconsistent treatment of illegal aliens by states and cities constitutes apartheid-like discrimination that is abhorrent – as well as expensive and inefficient. Bernstein proposes that illegal aliens be treated as resident aliens, irrespective of U.S. law, and despite denying he supports illegal immigration.</p><p>The United States has a national policy on immigration. It is defined and articulated in the nation's immigration laws, and none of these laws permit illegal residence in the United States – much less efficient and unrestricted residence.</p><p><i>James P. Moore, Ocean Isle Beach</i></p>